Direct determination of tocopherols in paprika and paprika oleoresin by liquid chromatography

A method for the determination of tocopherols and tocopherol esters, quantified as tocopherol acetate, in paprika and paprika oleoresin is reported. Paprika samples were extracted with ethyl acetate and aliquots of the extracts were directly injected into a liquid chromatograph. Reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric detection at 280 nm was used. Gradient elution was applied, allowing the determination of tocopherols and tocopherol esters in the presence of carotenoids. The method does not need previous separation steps, so is useful for the routine determination of vitamin E in commercial samples.